A MESSAGE FROM INDIA: INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2009

November 19 is International Men’s Day

· Men protect and provide for families.

· Men render many services that make the society comfortable for everyone.

· Men make many contributions to science, technology and health of all.

· Men perform the most dangerous and difficult jobs in the world.

· Men take risks and die to save other lives during calamities and war.

· Men bring humor into our lives and make us laugh.

These men are…

…academic achievers, social leaders, champions of the environment, artists, comedians, soldiers, farmers, fishermen, fire fighters, and those more humble males who, on a daily basis, clean our streets, build our houses, fix our vehicles, police our streets, deliver newspapers and milk, care for children, and dedicate themselves to others.

These men are…

…our fathers, brothers, partners, sons, male friends, neighbours and colleagues.

On the occasion of International Men’s Day, let us remind ourselves that

- Men are human;

- Men experience pain, emotions and tears; and

- Men deserve our love, care, protection and support.

Let us recognize and honor men for the numerous services they render
and the innumerable sacrifices they make for the health and well-being of our families and society!!!


All India Forgotten Women
Andhra Pradesh Mothers-in-law Protection Association
Mothers and Sisters Initiative
Children’s Rights Initiative for Shared Parenting

IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R) PUBLISHING TRIBUTES TO POSITIVE MALE ROLE MODELS IN OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2009

IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R) is observing International Men's Day 2009 (www.internationalmensday.com) by publishing essays, articles, and poems it receives that illustrate the theme of "Positive Male Role Models" which has been selected for this year's worldwide observance of International Men's Day. Launched on 15 October 2009, IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R) moderates and facilitates a Global Dialogue on Fatherhood which provides Men from all Walks of Life with a space and place to freely express concerns and questions and exchange information, ideas, and solutions about issues that tug at their heartstrings in an uncensored environment.

"IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R) is honored to be a part of the worldwide celebration of International Men's Day for which the theme of 'Positive Male Role Models' has been selected. We all have had at least one positive male role model in our lives. Positive male role models can be found everywhere throughout our Global Village. We are providing everyone from all Walks of Life throughout our global village with an opportunity to celebrate, honor, and thank the positive role models that have positively influenced their lives. Tell us about the positive male role model in your life. Send your essays, articles, and poems to IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R) and we will publish them on our blog," D.A. Sears, Managing Editor for IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R) remarked.


Celebrate INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2009! Celebrate and honor a positive male role model who has made a difference in your life.

Send your essays, articles, and poems to IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R) by e-mail to: insearchoffatherhood@gmail.com. Your essays, articles, and poems will be published on IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R)'s blog at http://globalfatherhooddialogue.blogspot.com.

INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY: ODE TO A MENTOR

Ten years ago, on 1 March 1999, my Mentor and best friend – L.T. Henry, an author, photojournalist, sales and success motivation trainer, and classically trained musician who spoke five languages (French, German, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese), performed briefly with The Philadelphia Orchestra, and was a former drummer for internationally acclaimed songstress and film and television actress Ms. Della Reese – died suddenly. “L.T.”, as he was affectionately referred to by those of us who knew and loved him, danced with life, strived for excellence, fought against injustice, saw and pointed out the beauty and untapped potential in every one, and transformed adversities into triumphs. He was a compassionate Creative Genius who searched for answers and truth and invested 100% of his intellect, passion, energy, and talent into each person he mentored and into every project that he took on. L.T. expected his mentees to search for answers and truth, to help others, to “dance with life”, to strive for excellence, to invest 100% of our intellect, passion, energy and talent into each and every project that we worked on, and to “get up, dust ourselves off, and get back in the race” when Life threw us a curve ball.


A critical thinker, L.T. shared his concerns about the unique issues that confronted Men around the world with me. He asked aloud: “Where does a man go to find answers to questions about Fatherhood? Who can he turn to?” The fact that no one walked up to Men, tapped them on their shoulder, and said, ”Hey, to become a successful parent and have happy, well-adjusted children, you need to do ‘x, y, and z’,” was not lost on him. “L.T.” saw the need for the creation of an interactive and uncensored Fatherhood Forum that provided Men from all Walks of Life throughout our global village with an opportunity to freely express their dreams and questions and to exchange information, ideas, and solutions about issues that tugged at their heartstrings. He envisioned a world in which Men from all Walks of Life would share information with each other, work together, and support each other. It was a world that he was working to help create when he died.


Ten years ago, on 15 October 1999, I stepped out on faith and embarked upon a journey to resurrect L.T.’s vision and perpetuate his legacy. On that day, I launched IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R).

It was, and continues to be, the least that I can do for a Man who has done so much for me.

INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 19 NOVEMBER 2009 WORLDWIDE OBSERVANCE

AUSTRALIA – 5 NOVEMBER 2009 -- Men and Fathers, Men’s Groups, Fatherhood Practitioners, and Fatherhood organizations throughout our global village will observe International Men’s Day on Thursday, 19 November 2009. Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Australia, India, United States, Singapore, United Kingdom, Malta, South Africa, Georgia, New Zealand, Moldova, Germany, Holland and Brazil are just some some of the nations around the globe that are planning activities on International Men’s Day 2009 which will honor the selfless sacrifices of men and celebrate men’s invaluable contributions to families, communities, and society.

Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, founder of International Men’s Day (IMD) said, “International Men’s Day is about addressing the challenges and problems that men face; improving gender relations between men and women; promoting gender equality; highlighting positive male role models – not just movie stars and athletes – but “everyday working class men who are living decent, honest lives”; and creating a safer and better world”.

Diane A. Sears, IMD Coordinator in the USA, said, “We must work together as a team. International Men’s Day provides us with a great opportunity. Strong fathers create and sustain efficiently functioning family units which positively shape the minds and souls of our children – our future – our bridge to the future. After all, isn’t it really about our children?”

Warwick Marsh, Founder of Dads4Kids and the IMD Global Coordinator added “It is my hope that International Men’s Day will be the catalyst for men, men and fatherhood groups, individuals, both men and women to celebrate the importance of ‘Positive Male Role Models’, the theme for 2009.”

Uma Challa is the IMD Coordinator for India. She made the point that, “International women’s Day is celebrated the world over every year but we also need to have a celebration every year to recognize and honor men: our fathers, brothers, partners, sons, male friends and colleagues; for the numerous services they render and the innumerable sacrifices they make to ensure the health and well-being of the family and the society.”

Jason Thompson, Global Promotions Coordinator for IMD said, “I would like to take this opportunity to ask individuals and organizations who are planning an event to contact me with the details at: soulgany@bigpond.com”


For information, blogs, forums, webcasts, posters, logos and other resources for International Men’s Day on 19 November 2009 and for Media Inquiries, visit International Men’s Day website at: www.internationalmensday.com


CONTACTS:
Australia: Warwick Marsh - Telephone: +61 2 4272 6677; E-Mail: info@fatherhood.org.au

Trinidad & West Indies: Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh -
Telephone: +1 868 665 8227; E-Mail: jtluxing@yahoo.com

India: Uma Challa - Telephone: +91 40 97046 83163;
E-Mail: challa.uma@gmail.com

United States of America: Diane A. Sears -
E-Mail: bsi-international@earthlink.net or insearchoffatherhood@gmail.com

GLOBAL CONFERENCE MARKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED NATIONS CHILD RIGHTS CONVENTION

ADDIS ADABA, ETHIOPIA -- The United Nations Child Rights Convention’s 20th anniversary will be observed with the convening of a “Global Conference On Child’s Rights And Research” which will be held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Adaba, Ethiopia from 30 November 2009 through 2 December 2009. Organizers of the Global Conference include Childwatch International, African Child Policy Forum, UNICEF Innocenti Research Center, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Comparative Research Programme on Poverty, and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

“Children’s Rights At A Cross-Roads” is the theme of the Global Conference which will explore and promote research promoting the rights of children, collaboration among policy makers, practitioners and academics which will lead to the creation of relevant child research and its implementation, and cooperation between adults and youth in connection with designing and developing participatory research. Participants in the Global Conference will include policymakers, politicians, civil servants who are responsible for creating and implementing child-focused policies, representatives from Non-Government Organizations throughout the world who have a child rights mandate, development agencies, agencies of the United Nations, academics, regional organizations, independent human rights and children’s rights organizations, and independent experts.

Keynote speakers for the Global Conference include Agnes Aidoo, Member of the United Nations Child Rights Convention Committee; Assefa Bequele, Director, The African Child Policy Forum; Shirin Cziffra, Ombudsperson for Children, Mauritius; Seynabou Ndiaye Diakhate, Chair of The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child; Jaap Doek, Chair of the United Nations Child Rights Convention Committee (2001-2007); Julie Meeks Gardner, University of the West Indies; Bience Philomina Gawanas, Commissioner of Social Affairs, Africa Commission; Simon Heap, Global Research Portfolio Co-ordinator - Plan International; Haktor Helland, of The Norwegian Ministry of Children and Equality; Lothar Krappmann, United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child; Yanghee Lee, Chair of the United Nations Child Rights Convention Committee; Stephen Lewis, Special Envoy for AIDS In Africa (2001-2006); Richard Morgan, Director Policy and Practice, UNICEF; Marta Santos Pais, United Nations Special Representative On Violence Against Children; David Parker, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre; Irene Rizzini, President Childwatch International; and Rose September, University of the Western Cape.

Registration for the Global Conference ends on Friday, 6 November 2009. For information about the Global Conference and how you can register, please visit Childwatch International’s website at http://www.childwatch.uio.no/projects/global-conferences/un-child-rights-convention-anniversary-conference-2009.

BOOKS FOR DAD: INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED AUTHOR DAVID BALDACCI'S "TRUE BLUE"

Best-selling and internationally acclaimed author David Baldacci’s latest work, True Blue, is a mesmerizingly suspenseful fictional tale published by the Hachette Book Group’s Grand Central Publishing (www.HachetteBookGroup.com). The nation’s capitol – Washington, D.C. – serves as the staging ground for Baldacci’s masterfully crafted novel which offers a diverse cast of characters who include, but are not limited to, the city’s Chief of Police; an ambitious United States Attorney; a former police officer and sister of the city’s Chief of Police; an attorney at a law firm with offices in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C., Dubai, and London; a homeless Vietnam Veteran; and a wealthy college professor who has embarked upon a mission to provide the City’s undereducated and impoverished citizens with key “pieces of the puzzle” to overcoming their environment and becoming productive and successful members of society. So, what is the common thread that brings together such a diverse group of individuals? Murder. Having said that, it is important to add that True Blue is not your proverbial spine-tingling murder mystery. True Blue, in its own unique way, reinforces valuable life lessons about tenacity, honor, loyalty, and the triumph of good over evil.

GRANDPARENTS' POEM: CHARLIE MATHIS

As the sun sets in Owasso,
the geese fly overhead,
quacking for our arrival.
Grandpa G is lying back
in his easy chair.
Grandma is getting ready
for the ten o'clock news.
The nurses are coming
down the hall.
They are coming in, saying,
"How are you doing, G?"
And they say,
"Do you want orange juice or water?"
He says, "Orange juice."
We are talking to Grandma.
She is talking on the phone
to one of my dad's brothers.
The ten o'clock news comes on.
My dad is making the bed.
Grandpa G is talking about the news.
We give them kisses and hugs
and tell them, "Good Night!"
We close our eyes and dream
of the very next day.